Six Sigma is a Statistical Measurement of a Process or a Product in order to attain the goal of near perfection in an existing business or in a new one. Being a Business Initiative rather than a Quality Initiative, Statistical Measurement involves measuring and thereby analyzing the Business Processes using actual data. Six Sigma is completely customer focused by providing defect-free service to customers as and when its required.
Why the name Six Sigma?
Sigma is the mathematical symbol for measuring the standard deviation which uses the Greek letter Sigma(σ) as its symbol. Attaining Six Sigma means reaching six standard deviations (i.e) reducing the defects or service problems to a minimum of 3.4 defects per Million units.
Six Sigma neither can be implemented overnight nor can be successful without the complete involvement and hard work of the entire business unit as a team including top management and employees working under them. Six Sigma involves major investment and one cannot expect the results immediately. Six Sigma is not just improving the quality of a product or a service residing in a particular department. Six Sigma brings major changes to each and every department. Adopting to Six Sigma style requires both mental and physical training. Only by proper guidance, training and implementation of the Six Sigma concepts can lead to a success.
Many world-class business systems(Motorola, GE etc.) have already gained enormous success by implementing Six Sigma concepts in their business processes. Nowadays more and more business systems are trying to adopt Six Sigma policies after seeing the Six Sigma Success stories.
